Tigers rout Collinwood

COLLINWOOD — Mt. Pleasant spotted Collinwood a 3-point lead, then scored five touchdowns Friday to put the Trojans away 40-10 in a clash of former district opponents.

COLLINWOOD — Mt. Pleasant spotted Collinwood a 3-point lead, then scored five touchdowns Friday to put the Trojans away 40-10 in a clash of former district opponents.

The Tigers (3-5) combined a relentless offense with a stout defense and productive special teams to score 32 second quarter points, then were content to cruise by the Trojans (1-7).

Collinwood, who edged Wayne County 7-6 in their season opener, virtually matched Mt. Pleasant in rushing yardage but the Tigers secured good field position and tamed the Trojans’ passing game following their early game field goal.

The 3-point kick by Alden Littlejohn covered 37 yards, capping a 13-play drive to the Mt. Pleasant 20. Collinwood quarterback Logan Montgomery connected on three of his four completions on the 47-yard march.

Mt. Pleasant picked up two first downs, then Ken’Yores Smith punted the home team to their one. On the ensuing play, Michael Malugin picked off a pass at the Collinwood 17-yardline. The Trojans, however, took over on downs at their own five.

Then came the second period dominance by head coach Jason Hoath’s Tigers.

Defensive end Brenton Shepherd returned an interception 20 yards to the Collinwood 37. Rodney Harvell’s 16-yard run followed a pass interference penalty on the Trojans.

The first of five quick Tiger touchdowns came on a 10-yard run by Walter Crawford, who primarily plays quarterback but was in a running back spot for this play as Smth was the quarterback. Harvell ran the extra point.

Mt. Pleasant needed just four plays to strike again, this time on a 48-yard Smith to Malugin pass. Harvell again ran the conversion for a 16-3 lead.

With 3;38 remaining in the half, Harvell scored on a 5-yard run. A 59-yard punt return by Smith to the Trojans’ 21 set-up the TD. Brady Gill ran the extra points.

An interception by Smith gave the Tigers possession late in the half at their own 22. Crawford connected with Harvell for 22 yards, Smith for 22 yards and Harvell cut back against the grain to run for 34 yards on the final play of the quarter for the TD. Gill ran the conversion for a 32-3 lead.

Mt. Pleasant scored with the second half 88 seconds old on an 18-yard run by Gill after Smith returned the second half kickoff 65 yards. Gill had runs of 11 and 18. Harvell ran the 2-pointer.

Collinwood drove 95 yards against the Tigers’ reserves to score with 53 seconds left in the game. Logan Ware had runs of 28 and 16 yards to set-up his 8-yard scoring run.

Harvell and Gill rushed for 100 and 62 yards respectively for the Tigers. Crawford completed three aerials for 54 yards and added 15 rushing.

Smith returned two kicks for 124 yards, rushed five times for 25 yards, caught a pass for 22, and was 2-of-2 passing for another 49 yards, giving him 220 yards in 10 touches.

Montgomery’s 68 yards rushing led the Trojans but he had three of his passes intercepted, and 10 of his 17 aerial were incomplete.

Mt. Pleasant is open this week, but will play at Wayne County on Oct. 25. The Tigers conclude their regular season Nov. 1 at East Hickman.